Post by Pirate Joe on Apr 1, 2009 18:18:27 GMT -5

TUSCALOOSA - After months of rumors, the University of Alabama received official notice Wednesday that the NCAA is conducting a broad investigation into the Crimson Tide football program.

The NCAA cited possible violations that may have occurred from 2005 until 2009, the years spanning the tenure of former head football coach Mike Shula and current coach Nick Saban.

The probe could reveal evidence of major violations, ranging from academic impropriety to illegal benefits for both active players and recruits.

If such evidence is found, the program could be subject to serious penalties, including scholarship cuts, recruiting restrictions, loss of postseason or television eligibility and other penalties, such as suspension.

The program received notice of the investigation in a preliminary letter of inquiry from NCAA vice president for enforcement services David Price to UA president Robert Witt.

In the letter, Price says that possible violations include "offers and inducements" to prospects by "representatives of the university's athletic interests" - that is, boosters. It also notes that boosters may have provided benefits to "enrolled student-athletes."

If any current members of the team are found to have accepted benefits, their eligibility could be jeopardized under NCAA bylaws.

The letter said that the NCAA is reviewing "potential academic impropriety with student-athletes prior to their enrollment" and possible "unethical conduct" by coaches who either knew of or participated in rules violations.

There are no specific allegations cited in the letter, nor is any individual named in the potential violations. However, the fairly broad NCAA bylaws cited by Price could be applied to many areas that have been probed by the NCAA and publicized in recent weeks, particularly in the wake of on-campus interviews conducted by the NCAA Enforcement Staff in the last week of February, 2009.

The investigation will probably center on Alabama's recruitment of signee Dre Kirkpatrick and other prospects from the Gadsden area. A former assistant coach at Gadsden City High School, Frank Johnson, said in a recent phone interview that Kirkpatrick was steered to Alabama because of improper benefits to his family and has further alleged that the deal was "brokered" by former Alabama assistant coach Lance Thompson and Gadsden businessman Tim Williams. Neither Thompson nor Williams have been available for comment.

Further, reports of potential standardized test-score and grade irregularities involving 2007 recruits Kerry Murphy and Josh Chapman are also expected to be part of the investigation.

Murphy reportedly received help, arranged by UA, in passing a standardized test, and may also have received transportation and lodging from a UA coach while awaiting admission. Murphy was initially refused by UA's admissions office in 2007. However, after attending Hargrave Military Academy in 2008, Murphy was accepted into the University in January of 2009 where he is currently still enrolled.

No booster or staff member has made any public admission of rules violations. Several, including Saban and former recruiting coordinator Lance Thompson, have thus far declined to comment, citing concerns with the ongoing NCAA investigation.

The NCAA letter notes that "new information is often developed during an investigation."

The charge of "lack of institutional control" was not specifically mentioned in the letter, although it could still be a factor in the Tide case.

"Unethical conduct" by a coach can lead to a charge of lack of institutional control, although it does not necessarily do so. For instance, in Alabama's 1999 appearance before the NCAA Committee on Infractions, assistant basketball coach Tyrone Beaman was cited for "unethical conduct" for attempting to set up a "slush fund" for recruits, but Alabama was found to have exercised institutional control in its reporting and response to the case.

Although the NCAA could wait as long as six months before following up on the letter, Price indicated that the Enforcement Staff hoped to have its investigation completed by June. Price also noted that a formal meeting between UA officials and enforcement staff representatives would not be warranted "due to the familiarity with the issues" by members of UA's compliance staff, which has worked closely with the NCAA in developing much of the information.

NCAA bylaws require that all UA officials involved in the investigation refrain from discussion or comment that might impede the continuing investigation.

NCAA procedures provide for a continued investigation to determine whether there is sufficient cause to issue an "Official Inquiry" letter, or insufficient cause to continue the investigation. If such a letter is issued, an official inquiry carries a specific statement of possible rules infractions.

This is the fifth NCAA inquiry into UA athletics since 1993. The first centered primarily on issues stemming from agent involvement by former UA defensive back Antonio Langham and UA's response to that involvement, although there was also a charge that former UA player Gene Jelks had received an impermissible loan to pay for insurance. The second, in 1999, centered on recruiting improprieties by Beaman. UA received stiff penalties, later reduced on appeal, in the first case; in the second, UA received no sanctions and was commended by the NCAA for its proactive response. The third inquiry, in 2001, for ominously similar violations as the current allegations, ordered the football program to cut 21 football scholarships over a three year span and slapped the school with a two-year ban on postseason play. The forth inquiry, only a month old, requested representatives from the University met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions to answer a notice of allegations regarding potential “major” violations regarding questionable textbook charges in excess of $1,600 for scholarship student-athletes. The NCAA has yet to rule on the textbook violations.

Dr. Robert Witt, UA's president, said that the college "fully intends to continue its aggressive investigation of any issues involving rules compliance working closely with NCAA officials. Our goal is to get to the bottom of these matters as quickly as possible. The challenge at hand is to investigate thoroughly, distinguish fact from fiction, and take appropriate corrective action if required.”

"While we cannot discuss specifics of the investigation, I would make two points in the spirit of fairness," Witt added. "First, we have new leadership throughout our football program and not one of our current coaches is involved in the matters under review. I am also confident that our faculty athletics representative and our compliance staff have been especially diligent in reporting and investigating any possible rules violations and they have had my full support in doing so."

Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide's head coach, has not been available for comment.

Post by Geaux Tigers on Apr 1, 2009 18:27:59 GMT -5

"First, we have new leadership throughout our football program and not one of our current coaches is involved in the matters under review.

Basically calling the NCAA Liars when they say

The NCAA cited possible violations that may have occurred from 2005 until 2009, the years spanning the tenure of former head football coach Mike Shula and current coach Nick Saban.

I am also confident that our faculty athletics representative and our compliance staff have been especially diligent in reporting and investigating any possible rules violations and they have had my full support in doing so."

Post by g8rsweetie on Apr 2, 2009 10:08:26 GMT -5

As much as I would like to enjoy this and want to giggle, it sucks for any team. What in the heck is going on with the NCAA?? Where is all this regulating coming from all of a sudden? Geez! Are they all scared of losing their jobs due to budget cuts, so they are actually working now? With everything that is going horrible bad in the world, can you please leave cfb alone?

Post by g8rsweetie on Apr 2, 2009 10:34:08 GMT -5

Crimson, I'm going to do some investigating tonight and I will let you know if we find anything tomorrow. My husband's aunt and uncle teach and coach in Gadsden and his cousin plays football, so we are calling them after work today for some gossip reports.

Post by crimson2007 on Apr 2, 2009 10:39:54 GMT -5

Crimson, I'm going to do some investigating tonight and I will let you know if we find anything tomorrow. My husband's aunt and uncle teach and coach in Gadsden and his cousin plays football, so we are calling them after work today for some gossip reports.

Thanks, g8rsweetie. I have done a little searching, but have not found anything new yet. The latest new I have seen was from March 5th. Who knows if it is true or not, but when it comes to Alabama, I always expect the worst.

The only reason tanks go so slowly is they're looking nervously around for Coach Saban.

Post by g8rsweetie on Apr 2, 2009 10:45:59 GMT -5

My husband's best friend (and fellow Auburn alum) was down here visiting 2 weeks ago and he mentioned some of this, but he of course got the info from the gossip/rumor mill that plagues the state of Alabama every day. So we kind of took it with a grain of salt because of course he heard it from his AU sources (which to his credit, he does work with and is friend with some AU higher ups), and because well everyone knows that AU always wants to see Bama suffer. But after reading the article, he may have heard right. Then again, this could be just another day late horrible April fools joke.

Post by Klink on Apr 2, 2009 10:54:23 GMT -5

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama says it has not received another letter of inquiry from the NCAA, contrary to rumors that have spread on rival school fan Web sites.

Deborah Lane, UA’s assistant to the president and assistant vice president for university relations, stated that Alabama “has not received a notice of inquiry or notice of allegation from the NCAA” since the May 19, 2008, NCAA notice about “potential for major violations” arising from the athletic department textbook scandal. Lane’s statement came in response to an open records request from The Tuscaloosa News.

The response also stated that UA “has not disassociated any athletic boosters” in the last 12 months, also contrary to Internet and other rumors.

Multiple sources within the UA athletic department also denied that the school has received notice of any NCAA investigation into other matters beyond the textbook matter.

Alabama officials went before the NCAA Committee on Infractions on Feb. 20 in San Diego the address the textbook matter. The school has yet to receive a response from the NCAA committee and will not likely receive a response on any penalties for several weeks.

The inquiry involved five football players -- offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis, tailback Glen Coffee and reserve defensive backs Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers -- who were suspended for four games in the 2007 season, as well as athletes in men’s and women’s track and field and cross country and one soccer player.

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban addressed the matter Friday for the first time since the school’s meeting with the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

“As I understand it, on this topic we have one spokesman and that’s Dr. Witt,” Saban said at a spring practice press conference at the Mal Moore Football Building. “I think the university has done a fantastic job investigating this. It was something that we uncovered ourselves. I think for a lot of reasons, it’s good to have one spokesman.

“I’m very supportive of what we’ve done here, and I don’t think I should comment about it further because I don’t have any speculation on it.”

Saban indicated his belief that the UA football program had already been penalized in the matter.

“We suspended (the involved players) for four games,” he said. “We were told at the time that’s the penalty they should endure. ... It was pretty painful, so we feel like our part of it, we’ve suffered through a long time ago.”

Post by Klink on Apr 2, 2009 11:23:03 GMT -5

They might have recieved the letter recently. Your article Klink is dated March 13th. I do notice PJ's has no date.

It was taken from this article, and modified to fit today's circumstances...

It's official: NCAA opens investigation

By Cecil Hurt originally published 2.23.2001Published: Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.Last Modified: Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 2:45 p.m.TUSCALOOSA - After months of rumors, the University of Alabama received official notice Thursday that the NCAA is conducting a broad investigation into the Crimson Tide football program.

The NCAA cited possible violations that may have occurred from 1997 until 2000, the years spanning the tenure of former head football coach Mike DuBose.

The probe could reveal evidence of major violations, ranging from academic impropriety to illegal benefits for both active players and recruits.

If such evidence is found, the program could be subject to serious penalties, including scholarship cuts, recruiting restrictions, loss of postseason or television eligibility and other penalties, such as suspension.

The program received notice of the investigation in a preliminary letter of inquiry from NCAA vice president for enforcement services David Price to UA president Andrew Sorensen.

In the letter, Price says that possible violations include "offers and inducements" to prospects by "representatives of the university's athletic interests" - that is, boosters. It also notes that boosters may have provided benefits to "enrolled student-athletes."

If any current members of the team are found to have accepted benefits, their eligibility could be jeopardized under NCAA bylaws.

The letter said that the NCAA is reviewing "potential academic impropriety with student-athletes prior to their enrollment" and possible "unethical conduct" by coaches who either knew of or participated in rules violations.

There are no specific allegations cited in the letter, nor is any individual named in the potential violations. However, the fairly broad NCAA bylaws cited by Price could be applied to many areas that have been probed by the NCAA and publicized in recent weeks, particularly in the wake of on-campus interviews conducted by the NCAA Enforcement Staff in the last week of November, 2000.

The investigation will probably center on Alabama's recruitment of former player Albert Means and other prospects from the Memphis area. A former assistant coach at Trezevant High School, Milton Kirk, said that Means was steered to Alabama because of a $200,000 payment to his high school coach, Lynn Lang. Kirk has further alleged that the deal was "brokered" by former Alabama assistant coach Ivy Williams and Memphis businessman Logan Young. Both Williams and Young have denied any involvement in the scheme, and Lang has also denied any wrongdoing.

Reports of potential standardized test-score and grade irregularities involving 1999 recruit Michael Gaines and 2000 recruit Harold James are also expected to be part of the investigation.

Gaines reportedly received help, arranged by UA, in passing a standardized test, and - according to the NCAA's November probe - may also have received transportation and lodging from a UA coach while awaiting admission. Gaines was eventually refused by UA's admissions office.

James also was alleged to have received academic assistance at Alabama's instigation, although officials at Osceola (Ark.) High School have denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation into benefits for active players is expected to focus on statements by three former UA players - Eric Locke, Travis Carroll and Chris Reier - who transferred out of the UA program before the 1999 season. All three have acknowledged talking to NCAA investigators, though they have declined to give details, citing NCAA policy. However, sources close to the NCAA probe said Thursday that all three had been asked about possible benefits - including cash and vehicles - that may have been provided, either to them personally or to other players while they were at UA.

Investigators are also likely to review potential problems with prep school tuition and transportation for 2000 recruit Mac Tyler; and other areas of potential booster involvement with prospects and athletes. Tyler has denied allegations that he received assistance from UA boosters in paying his tuition at Milford Prep in Connecticut.

No booster or staff member has made any public admission of rules violations. Several, including DuBose and former recruiting coordinator Ronnie Cottrell, have declined to comment, citing concerns with the ongoing NCAA investigation.

The NCAA letter notes that "new information is often developed during an investigation."

The charge of "lack of institutional control" was not specifically mentioned in the letter, although it could still be a factor in the Tide case.

"Unethical conduct" by a coach can lead to a charge of lack of institutional control, although it does not necessarily do so. For instance, in Alabama's 1999 appearance before the NCAA Committee on Infractions, assistant basketball coach Tyrone Beaman was cited for "unethical conduct" for attempting to set up a "slush fund" for recruits, but Alabama was found to have exercised institutional control in its reporting and response to the case.

Although the NCAA could wait as long as six months before following up on the letter, Price indicated that the Enforcement Staff hoped to have its investigation completed by June. Price also noted that a formal meeting between UA officials and enforcement staff representatives would not be warranted "due to the familiarity with the issues" by members of UA's compliance staff, which has worked closely with the NCAA in developing much of the information.

NCAA bylaws require that all UA officials involved in the investigation refrain from discussion or comment that might impede the continuing investigation.

NCAA procedures provide for a continued investigation to determine whether there is sufficient cause to issue an "Official Inquiry" letter, or insufficient cause to continue the investigation. If such a letter is issued, an official inquiry carries a specific statement of possible rules infractions.

This is the third NCAA inquiry into UA athletics since 1993. The first centered primarily on issues stemming from agent involvement by former UA defensive back Antonio Langham and UA's response to that involvement, although there was also a charge that former UA player Gene Jelks had received an impermissible loan to pay for insurance. The second, in 1999, centered on recruiting improprieties by Beaman. UA received stiff penalties, later reduced on appeal, in the first case; in the second, UA received no sanctions and was commended by the NCAA for its proactive response.

Sorensen, UA's president, said that the college "fully intends to continue its aggressive investigation of any issues involving rules compliance working closely with NCAA officials. Our goal is to get to the bottom of these matters as quickly as possible. The challenge at hand is to investigate thoroughly, distinguish fact from fiction, and take appropriate corrective action if required.

"While we cannot discuss specifics of the investigation, I would make two points in the spirit of fairness," Sorensen added. "First, we have new leadership throughout our football program and not one of our current coaches is involved in the matters under review. I am also confident that our faculty athletics representative and our compliance staff have been especially diligent in reporting and investigating any possible rules violations, and they have had my full support in doing so."

Dennis Franchione, the Crimson Tide's new head coach, was at a coaching clinic in Hawaii on Thursday and was not available for comment. The investigation does not encompass any activities by Franchione or members of the new Tide staff, all of whom have been hired since early December.